Lesbian vampires — the quintessential bad girls — indulge in their perverse pleasures in this red-hot collection.
The female vampire is so deliciously wicked that her powerful sexual nature was hidden for centuries. But the vampire story has always been one of submerged eroticism. The vampire emerges from the shadows, seduces her intended victim, and feeds on her, defying all rules in her pursuit of pleasure. In Daughters of Darkness, editor Pam Keesey brings the eroticism of the female vampire front and center with explicit tales from some of the finest contemporary queer writers.

In Girls Who Bite, Delilah Devlin delivers a sexy collection that readers can sink their teeth into every night. The female vampire is the ultimate bad girl—even the word vampire invokes images of dark, shadowy liaisons, forbidden desires and sensual bloodlust. Whether depicting a traditional blood-drinker seducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing the life-force of an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting, the stories in Girls Who Bite are a sensual surprise.

Whether you've read the books or not, everyone is welcome to join the Naked Reader Book Club discussion! If you have had a chance to read Daughters of Darkness or Girls Who Bite, feel free to drop in and give us your opinion on the stories.

As a preview to the discussion, here's Delilah Devlin's introduction to Girls Who Bite, complete with her original Call for Submissions. See how well it worked!

Vampire—vagina. A more perfect sensual pairing couldn’t be imagined. Dark hungers, shocking thirsts... For blood, for connection... A sharing of nourishment and comfort... Inflic-
tion and acceptance of pain... Whether the story depicts a traditional blood-drinker
seducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing life force from an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting to cement a bond, the stories will be varied and unexpected. Writers will be encouraged to inves- tigate vampire myths from around the world, looking for some- thing fresh to add to the pantheon.

That description was included in the call for submissions I sent out when I began this project. This being the first book where I don the editor’s hat and make the selections, I wanted stories the likes of which I hadn’t read before. I write about vampires and werewolves, demons and succubi, and a dragon here and there. I love to read about them. But in this shorter format, I wanted to spark authors to provide me with something rare: a surprise. I made hard, excruciating choices, keeping in mind that I wanted the stories to be beyond simply erotic. If they didn’t pull at my emotions, if they didn’t provide me with a fresh twist and leave me feeling hopeful or haunted, I put them aside. I am at heart a romantic.

Why vampires? Aren’t there enough books and movies to bludgeon the genre to death? Maybe. But I’ll bet there will be a tale or two here that you’ve never read before. Or a twist you didn’t expect. Add the sensual texture of Sapphic love, and it’s a perfect mix. Blood is life. And for a vampire, a blood host is more than food; the relationship is one to be nurtured, and who better to understand that than women?

So, sit astride the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, sail with modern-day pirates, watch a meteor fall to earth and taste the powdery wings of a monarch butterfly. Not things you’d expect in a vampire tale? Then sip O-positive from a femoral artery while tugging at the silky strands of your lover’s hair, or scent a fated mate in an ocean breeze. Not so surprising, but eternally delicious.
Delilah Devlin

So you've finished reading Delilah's introduction, right? Here are some excerpts from Pam Keesey's introduction for Daughters of Darkness, first published in 1993.

Pam's Keesey’s introduction is a long and rewarding discourse on the histories and traditions of both vampires and lesbians, and the ways they converge. She covers myth, legend, literature, and movies, and even has an extensive and filmology and bibliography at the end.

“Female vampires have a long and varied history. Vampires have long been the favorite representation of “bad” women. Vampires are not only the supernatural creatures that haunt the night in search of blood: according to the Random House Dictionary, he vampire is also the woman who “unscrupulously exploits, ruins, or destroys the men she seduces.” She is the “vamp.”

The stories included in this anthology involve female vampire who have sought out one-to-one relationships with other women. Most of the stories are written by lesbians who are writing for a primarily lesbian audience, though this certainly is not the case for all of them. Some of the stories are funny, others are highly erotic. More than a few deal openly with the most pervasive of all vampire themes, the point at which the lines between sexuality and vio0lence become blurred.

“Dracula retold” by zana is a retelling of Bram Stoker’s tale. This time Lucy rather than Mina is married to Jonathan Harker. Lucy, bored with the life of a suburban housewife, chooses her vampire life, leaves her husband for lesbian land, and changes her name to “amazonclitwomon.” In Jody Scott’s vampire sci-fi comedy, Sterling O’Blivion is a “born that way” vampire whose family has always known that she had “it”—the defective gene that runs through her family…something that terrified others, but was minor, natural, and even quite pleasant as far as she was concerned."

As a preview to the discussion, here's Delilah Devlin's introduction to Girls Who Bite, complete with her original Call for Submissions. See how well it worked!

Vampire—vagina. A more perfect sensual pairing couldn’t be imagined.
...

As a preview to the discussion, here's Delilah Devlin's introduction to Girls Who Bite, complete with her original Call for Submissions. See how well it worked!

Vampire—vagina. A more perfect sensual pairing couldn’t be imagined. Dark hungers, shocking thirsts... For blood, for connection... A sharing of nourishment and comfort... Inflic-tion and acceptance of pain... Whether the story depicts a traditional blood-drinkerseducing a meal, a psychic vampire stealing life force from an unknowing host, or a real-life sanguinarian seeking a partner to share a ritual bloodletting to cement a bond, the stories will be varied and unexpected. Writers will be encouraged to inves- tigate vampire myths from around the world, looking for some- thing fresh to add to the pantheon.

That description was included in the call for submissions I sent out when I began this project. This being the first book where I don the editor’s hat and make the selections, I wanted stories the likes of which I hadn’t read before. I write about vampires and werewolves, demons and succubi, and a dragon here and there. I love to read about them. But in this shorter format, I wanted to spark authors to provide me with something rare: a surprise. I made hard, excruciating choices, keeping in mind that I wanted the stories to be beyond simply erotic. If they didn’t pull at my emotions, if they didn’t provide me with a fresh twist and leave me feeling hopeful or haunted, I put them aside. I am at heart a romantic.

Why vampires? Aren’t there enough books and movies to bludgeon the genre to death? Maybe. But I’ll bet there will be a tale or two here that you’ve never read before. Or a twist you didn’t expect. Add the sensual texture of Sapphic love, and it’s a perfect mix. Blood is life. And for a vampire, a blood host is more than food; the relationship is one to be nurtured, and who better to understand that than women?

So, sit astride the dome of St. Peter’s Basilica, sail with modern-day pirates, watch a meteor fall to earth and taste the powdery wings of a monarch butterfly. Not things you’d expect in a vampire tale? Then sip O-positive from a femoral artery while tugging at the silky strands of your lover’s hair, or scent a fated mate in an ocean breeze. Not so surprising, but eternally delicious.Delilah Devlin

Wow, that sounds really intriguing!

I thought, given my tastes, lesbian-only anthologies would have left me craving a little extra penetration---so I bought myself a copy of Hard Hats this month so I'd still be a Naked Reader! (review will hopefully be up tomorrow). I loved Hard Hats immensely, so I think I made the right choice in the end, but this introduction makes me feel like I should have tried out something even when I didn't think it seemed up my alley.

I thought, given my tastes, lesbian-only anthologies would have left me craving a little extra penetration---so I bought myself a copy of Hard Hats this month so I'd still be a Naked Reader! (review
...

Wow, that sounds really intriguing!

I thought, given my tastes, lesbian-only anthologies would have left me craving a little extra penetration---so I bought myself a copy of Hard Hats this month so I'd still be a Naked Reader! (review will hopefully be up tomorrow). I loved Hard Hats immensely, so I think I made the right choice in the end, but this introduction makes me feel like I should have tried out something even when I didn't think it seemed up my alley.

Antipova, nobody knows their way up your alley better than someone who has one herself. Just sayin'

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.

From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been thrilling to the writers! Check out some of the early reviews!
“GIRLS WHO BITE is one incredible read. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone straight, lesbian, bi, it doesn’t matter. There are stories here that you need to read and experience… And a final note regarding the editor Delilah Devlin. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say she is borderline genius for putting together this fantastic lineup of stories.”?~5 Paddles from BDSM Book Reviews
“…Absolutely Amazing! Packed with heat, sexuality, and darkness. This book deliveries on so many levels.” ?~Rated: Rose that Rules All! Magnificent!, Romancing the Book
“…The ride between the covers of this fabulous book is a sexy, sensual journey you should not miss… GIRLS WHO BITE was put together incredibly well and all the stories, although each different, flowed together nicely and were very intriguing! This anthology had me wanting more and turned me on to a whole new genre!”?~4 Stars from Dirty Birdies
“…I hope that you’ll give this very hot, very fresh anthology a try, even if you’re not “into” girls. This will definitely give you a different perspective into the world of lesbian erotica and I’m glad I spent my first time with Ms. Devlin’s beautiful choices.“?~5 Stars, Siren’s Songs Reviews
“…GIRLS WHO BITE is an extraordinary entertainment and highly recommended for adult reading lists.”?~5 Stars, Midwest Book Reviews

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.

From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been
...

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.

From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been thrilling to the writers! Check out some of the early reviews!“GIRLS WHO BITE is one incredible read. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone straight, lesbian, bi, it doesn’t matter. There are stories here that you need to read and experience… And a final note regarding the editor Delilah Devlin. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say she is borderline genius for putting together this fantastic lineup of stories.”?~5 Paddles from BDSM Book Reviews“…Absolutely Amazing! Packed with heat, sexuality, and darkness. This book deliveries on so many levels.” ?~Rated: Rose that Rules All! Magnificent!, Romancing the Book“…The ride between the covers of this fabulous book is a sexy, sensual journey you should not miss… GIRLS WHO BITE was put together incredibly well and all the stories, although each different, flowed together nicely and were very intriguing! This anthology had me wanting more and turned me on to a whole new genre!”?~4 Stars from Dirty Birdies“…I hope that you’ll give this very hot, very fresh anthology a try, even if you’re not “into” girls. This will definitely give you a different perspective into the world of lesbian erotica and I’m glad I spent my first time with Ms. Devlin’s beautiful choices.“?~5 Stars, Siren’s Songs Reviews“…GIRLS WHO BITE is an extraordinary entertainment and highly recommended for adult reading lists.”?~5 Stars, Midwest Book Reviews

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.

From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been
...

Here's a bit more to chew on (suck on?) until more folks get here--Delilah has a list of reviews for us.

From Delilah Devlin, author of “Night at the Wax Museum”:??Some brags:??The responses from readers and reviewers has been thrilling to the writers! Check out some of the early reviews!“GIRLS WHO BITE is one incredible read. I’d highly recommend this book to everyone straight, lesbian, bi, it doesn’t matter. There are stories here that you need to read and experience… And a final note regarding the editor Delilah Devlin. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say she is borderline genius for putting together this fantastic lineup of stories.”?~5 Paddles from BDSM Book Reviews“…Absolutely Amazing! Packed with heat, sexuality, and darkness. This book deliveries on so many levels.” ?~Rated: Rose that Rules All! Magnificent!, Romancing the Book“…The ride between the covers of this fabulous book is a sexy, sensual journey you should not miss… GIRLS WHO BITE was put together incredibly well and all the stories, although each different, flowed together nicely and were very intriguing! This anthology had me wanting more and turned me on to a whole new genre!”?~4 Stars from Dirty Birdies“…I hope that you’ll give this very hot, very fresh anthology a try, even if you’re not “into” girls. This will definitely give you a different perspective into the world of lesbian erotica and I’m glad I spent my first time with Ms. Devlin’s beautiful choices.“?~5 Stars, Siren’s Songs Reviews“…GIRLS WHO BITE is an extraordinary entertainment and highly recommended for adult reading lists.”?~5 Stars, Midwest Book Reviews

Halfway through Daughters of Darkness, and so far, not impressed. There's only been one sex scene, and not only was it not lesbian(well, unless you consider a lesbian vampire possessing the minds of a girl and boy while they have sex... but wouldn't that be masturbation, technically?), it involved a 13 year old girl (EW EW EW &**@#&ING EW!)

Halfway through Daughters of Darkness, and so far, not impressed. There's only been one sex scene, and not only was it not lesbian(well, unless you consider a lesbian vampire possessing the minds of a girl and boy while they have sex... but
...

Halfway through Daughters of Darkness, and so far, not impressed. There's only been one sex scene, and not only was it not lesbian(well, unless you consider a lesbian vampire possessing the minds of a girl and boy while they have sex... but wouldn't that be masturbation, technically?), it involved a 13 year old girl (EW EW EW &**@#&ING EW!)